Bea Arthur died of Cancer on Saturday, April 25, 2009.  She was 86 years old.

Bea was a veteran comedic actress, getting her big television start in the outrageous and controversial comedy "All in the Family" although she was already a successful stage performer.

She was next the star in a television show that air for about 6 years called "Maude."

She is extremely well-known for having been one of the main actresses/roommates in "The Golden Girls."

Her born name was Bernice Frankel, but she must preferred the nickname her mother used for her, 'Bea.'  She used this name the majority of her life.

Bea was born in New York, until her family moved to Maryland when she was 11.  She started acting in plays as a child and continued this path throughout the rest of her days.

In 2008, she was inducted into the TV Academy Hall of Fame.

She won many awards in her lifetime, including the Tony and Emmy.

She was also on the board, the chairwoman actually, of the Art Attack Foundation.